Perimenopause?

Butterflies Are Free · Jul 22, 2012 at 08:53 AM

Hello! I am 42 years old and am not sure if I could be going through perimenopause. My periods have always been very regular and now my cycle is getting shorter by 3 - 7 days; I even had my period twice in one month. Another new symptom that seems to be showing up is extreme anxiety. Not sure what to do...

lizardlady · Jul 22, 2012 at 08:58 PM

Butterflies, sounds like you could be entering perimenopause. I was only 38 when when things started to change for me. Like you I was regular as could be then things went all whacky - long periods, short periods, irregular times in between.

There's a book titled "The Pause", sorry can't remember the author that was very helpful to me.

MinnieMargot · Jul 22, 2012 at 10:38 PM

Might be a good idea to see a doc about the frequency, and then request a blood test, which can then tell you if you are intact about to start menopause.

zbmom · Jul 24, 2012 at 11:41 PM

Yep it started happening to my mom around age 40.

sprik · Apr 17, 2013 at 08:56 PM

im not sure if u want to see a dct unlessu trust him, my dct is great, but he said your in menpause at 35, im like no way, i went to gyno, and she put me back on birthcontrol and IM back to my normal self, most of the time i dont get periods during the green pills but i dont have any menopause systems

"Tilly may" · Apr 20, 2013 at 09:12 PM

im 48 and i think im in perimenopause, but my doc ignores me when i bring it up.
i sleep excessively, and feel anxiety.

kindachaotic · Apr 29, 2013 at 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "Tilly may"

im 48 and i think im in perimenopause, but my doc ignores me when i bring it up.
i sleep excessively, and feel anxiety.

If you can, change docs or get a second opinion.
Sounds like you need hormone levels checked.
Wish you the best.

FLJ13 · Apr 19, 2014 at 01:10 PM

Anybody going through or think they're going through perimenopause and other really rough MH issues already?

Fresia · Apr 22, 2014 at 08:04 AM

It is a simple blood test that can check hormone levels and is the best way to determine if entering perimenopause and menopause.
http://www.webmd.com/menopause/tc/me...xams-and-tests

If someone is on BC pills though, the tests can only be done during the placebo week and preferably at near the end of the week for the most accurate results. Also w/ BC pills, as long as you are on them you will continue to have periods. Studies have shown, that they can even put an 80 year old back on BC pills and she will have a period. So have to be careful that the BC pills can mask going into peri- and menopause. Talk with doc if notice any changes while on the pill to cycle, type of period or other symptoms for an indication; otherwise periodic blood tests may be the only way to tell.

TheOriginalMe · Apr 30, 2014 at 07:47 PM

My cycles began to change in my early forties and have been continuing erratically for the last 7 years. Your cycles may begin to change many years before your periods stop altogether, I'm not on BC so whatever bleeding I get is me and nothing else.
Last week I found a box of Tampax that I hadn't needed for a year, cos my periods have been much lighter recently, I put it away right at the back of the cabinet as I figured I wouldn't be needing them again. Today, I was soaking thru pads every couple of hours and cursing about not being able to find the Tampax. I love being a woman lol.
When I last spoke to my GP, he just said "You're 49 everything is normal!" When I spoke to a female GP today, she wasn't much help either, did I want a Mirena? and "You'll know you've reached the menopause when you haven't bled for a year, so as you are bleeding today then you are at least a year from it". Is it me or was that just about the most unhelpful comment a woman has ever made?

healingme4me · Apr 30, 2014 at 08:09 PM

My periods have been a bit off, past couple of years. My maternal gram says she started late 30's menopause. I'm thinking she meant peri. My mom, hit menopause close to around 50, i think.
I'm with you ^^^ about this month, tossing me for a loop, as far as heavier than it's been in months.

But will say, if so heavy, nothing stops 'flow', get checked for fibroids, those wreak havoc. Mom and gram(please lord, let me be like them), complained it was mainly just the sweating from hot flashes, not moods that affected them. Still have a ways, i suspect. At least one more year, right?

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

1bleufem · May 29, 2014 at 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOriginalMe

My cycles began to change in my early forties and have been continuing erratically for the last 7 years. Your cycles may begin to change many years before your periods stop altogether, I'm not on BC so whatever bleeding I get is me and nothing else.
Last week I found a box of Tampax that I hadn't needed for a year, cos my periods have been much lighter recently, I put it away right at the back of the cabinet as I figured I wouldn't be needing them again. Today, I was soaking thru pads every couple of hours and cursing about not being able to find the Tampax. I love being a woman lol.
When I last spoke to my GP, he just said "You're 49 everything is normal!" When I spoke to a female GP today, she wasn't much help either, did I want a Mirena? and "You'll know you've reached the menopause when you haven't bled for a year, so as you are bleeding today then you are at least a year from it". Is it me or was that just about the most unhelpful comment a woman has ever made?

I am getting this crap too...We need to remember ladies that doctors are like lawyers in that we hire them and if they aren't the right fit for us, we should find another one.

I am going to a new one as soon as my insurance kicks in!

Kendyll · Jun 03, 2014 at 10:36 AM

I'm on my third period in six weeks. I've already had enough of this and I'm only 43.
I'm seeing a new GP today. I can't imagine that she's going to be any help about this - it doesn't seem like there's anything they can do.
I'd love to just get it over with and get a hysterectomy...But heck, they wouldn't even tie my tubes until I was 34. There's no way they'd approve me for surgery like that without something "actually" wrong.

What's wrong is that I was born with a uterus. That was obviously a mistake...

birdpumpkin · Jun 11, 2014 at 09:33 AM

I'm 42 and think I'm in perimenopause, too. My periods were always very regular, then a few years ago they started coming every 3 weeks instead of 4 for awhile. Then back to 4 for awhile. Has been going back and forth like that since. Plus now I have very bad anxiety. I just had a fire 6 months ago, though, so am not sure if it's from ptsd or perimenopause. I've bought some Estroven, the formula for mood and memory that is supposed to help with perimenopausal anxiety, just in case I could be having some of that. I also get night sweats, and it's supposed to help that, too. The problem is that it is natural and takes up to 2 months to start working - very slow. I just started it a couple weeks ago so still feel about the same. Plus I've never had much luck with natural remedies but figured it was worth a try.

buzz bee · Jun 13, 2014 at 08:41 PM

Im 43 and I have seen signs myself. Two periods in one month, ugh, one is bad enough thank you. I did that recently. Sometimes on my periods I have hot flashes. Doesnt help that my hubby thinks Im over exaggerating. ( like to hit him with a hormone or two)

Everything you described is what my doctor told me was normal.

Let the good times roll.

angelswalk · Jun 21, 2014 at 03:04 PM

I think I am in menopause or close to it. I'm 49 and have had only a bit of spotting in April. No periods since. Really bad anxiety, mood swings. Think I'm going crazy

live2ski66 · Jun 22, 2014 at 01:18 AM

I've been begging for help for several years now and nothing. I did have the hormone check done and the doctor just dismissed my concerns. I know I've been experiencing hormonal fluctuations because my MDD, BPD, and anxiety are worsening even though I take my meds and not much has changed. It used to be that three out of the four weeks before my period I felt fine. The fourth week I was a wreck with PMS. Now I'm lucky if I get two or three days of "normalcy" and the rest of the cycle is a nightmare of PMS, anxiety, sleeping too much, crying, etc. I had my tubes tied a while back, so no BCs, but I'm ready to demand some type of hormonal therapy to get some respite from the symptoms. I shouldn't have to compensate with Klonopin. I should be able to use Klonopin as instructed by my PDoc and have the GYN find a solution to the hormonal issue.

Rhapsody · Jun 30, 2014 at 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendyll

I'm on my third period in six weeks. I've already had enough of this and I'm only 43.

This doesnt sound good and doesnt sound like menopause (peri or post) --I would see an GYN as soon as you can and get this dealt with, the doctor can give you birth control pills to control the flow and get you back on a regular schedule if there is no other medical issue going on that needs to be looked at. (((hugs)))

K2TOG · Jul 16, 2014 at 02:46 PM

I am so glad I found this post! Last summer I started having problems with insomnia and slowly other problems started occurring. The biggest change has been anxiety. I have never dealt with stress well but the anxiety took on a whole new life last winter. I had a panic attack once and it was the most frightening thing.

How do you all handle anxiety? I do not want to take medications anymore.

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Butterflies Are Free Grand Member Member Since Jun 2011 Location: USA Posts: 892 12 26 hugs given	Jul 22, 2012 at 08:53 AM #1 Hello! I am 42 years old and am not sure if I could be going through perimenopause. My periods have always been very regular and now my cycle is getting shorter by 3 - 7 days; I even had my period twice in one month. Another new symptom that seems to be showing up is extreme anxiety. Not sure what to do...
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lizardlady Legendary Member Since Nov 2002 Location: Mid World Posts: 17,503 (SuperPoster!) 21 7,523 hugs given	Jul 22, 2012 at 08:58 PM #2 Butterflies, sounds like you could be entering perimenopause. I was only 38 when when things started to change for me. Like you I was regular as could be then things went all whacky - long periods, short periods, irregular times in between. There's a book titled "The Pause", sorry can't remember the author that was very helpful to me.
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MinnieMargot Member Member Since Jan 2012 Posts: 20 12	Jul 22, 2012 at 10:38 PM #3 Might be a good idea to see a doc about the frequency, and then request a blood test, which can then tell you if you are intact about to start menopause.
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zbmom Veteran Member Member Since Jul 2011 Location: California Posts: 540 12 22 hugs given	Jul 24, 2012 at 11:41 PM #4 Yep it started happening to my mom around age 40. __________________ Bipolar Disorder I, PTSD, GAD When it is darkest, we can see the stars. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
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sprik Member Member Since Apr 2013 Location: michigan Posts: 235 11	Apr 17, 2013 at 08:56 PM #5 im not sure if u want to see a dct unlessu trust him, my dct is great, but he said your in menpause at 35, im like no way, i went to gyno, and she put me back on birthcontrol and IM back to my normal self, most of the time i dont get periods during the green pills but i dont have any menopause systems
	Reply With Quote

"Tilly may" Member Member Since Jan 2013 Location: canada Posts: 296 11 39 hugs given	Apr 20, 2013 at 09:12 PM #6 im 48 and i think im in perimenopause, but my doc ignores me when i bring it up. i sleep excessively, and feel anxiety.
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buzz bee Veteran Member Member Since Jun 2014 Location: Between here and there Posts: 573 9 33 hugs given	Jun 13, 2014 at 08:41 PM #15 Im 43 and I have seen signs myself. Two periods in one month, ugh, one is bad enough thank you. I did that recently. Sometimes on my periods I have hot flashes. Doesnt help that my hubby thinks Im over exaggerating. ( like to hit him with a hormone or two) Everything you described is what my doctor told me was normal. Let the good times roll.
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angelswalk Member Member Since Apr 2014 Location: USA Posts: 31 10	Jun 21, 2014 at 03:04 PM #16 I think I am in menopause or close to it. I'm 49 and have had only a bit of spotting in April. No periods since. Really bad anxiety, mood swings. Think I'm going crazy
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